A small change for your customers can make a big boost to your margins.
When customers see till rolls as interchangeable, it’s easy for every conversation to come down to price. Phenol-free thermal rolls give resellers another way into customers, a premium product and a chance to get ahead of legislation.
Many buyers already specify BPA-free, but how many know the difference between BPA-free and phenol-free? Explaining that difference gives you a reason to speak to existing customers, offer a premium option and make the next step as simple as a trial order. Discover more in our guide to phenol-free, and how it can help resellers.
What is thermal paper?
Thermal paper has a unique printing process, whereby the print is applied by heat, rather than ink. No cartridges, no toner, no ribbon. In a thermal printer, there are hundreds of tiny heating dots; as paper passes through the printer, these dots heat up for a split second, creating a dark mark on the paper. These marks then form together to show text, numbers, logos, and barcodes.
Phenols, and why BPA-free is NOT Phenol-Free
For paper to become thermal, it needs two parts added to it: a dye and a developer.
Traditionally, the developer in thermal paper has been a phenol-based chemical, like bisphenol A (BPA) or bisphenol S (BPS). However, these come with concerns around their impact on the environmental and people’s health, including hormone disruption, effects on fertility and allergic skin reactions.
These chemicals don’t break down in recycling, instead they carry through into the paper created from recycled paper, including tissue and food packaging. Choosing phenol means picking a non-recyclable paper,
In 2020, the UK and EU restricted BPA from being used in thermal paper, with the now familiar BPA-free becoming the standard. However, this didn’t mean that products were phenol-free, as the market simply moved to another bisphenol, BPS. This is a slightly better phenol, but a phenol nonetheless.
In the last 12 months, momentum is growing to change again, and more markets are legislating for completely phenol-free thermal paper.
Regulation is moving. Get ahead and don’t miss out.
In 2020, BPA was restricted in both EU & UK thermal papers (Switzerland went straight to phenol-free).
In 2026, certain states in the US have gone fully phenol-free.
In 2027, Germany is proposing to go fully phenol-free.
There are no dates set for the UK yet, but it is coming. This creates the opportunity and the smart move is to get ahead of these changes and find the right supplier, rather than wait and be left behind.
Why this matters to the reseller
Phenol-free is a premium product, and premium products create opportunities for resellers to make more margin on their sales. By encouraging businesses to move to phenol-free, you can boost your margins by 20%.
This is also an opportunity to stand out from your competitors. Phenol-free is new to many buyers, and your competitors will be offering BPA-free only. With Tayrol, you have access to phenol-free thermal paper, allowing you to talk to new customers about something more important than just the price per roll.
Who should switch first
It’s about the people handling the paper. The original BPA restriction was introduced to protect those who handle receipts all day, such as cashiers.
Start with the customers whose staff handle receipts all day:
- Retail and hospitality
- Fuel forecourts
- Gaming
- Healthcare
Then look at businesses with ESG or sustainability criteria in their procurement, public sector buyers working to tender requirements, and anyone trading into the EU.
What you should do
- Get Tayrol’s Phenol-free Sales Support Guide, to better understand the opportunity and how to sell it to your customers.
- Ask your customers when they are going to switch to phenol-free?
- Propose a trial order.
Why Tayrol?
Tayrol is a leading UK manufacturer of thermal rolls and labelling solutions. We offer a comprehensive range, and the flexibility to adapt to any special requirement your customer has, from bespoke widths and core sizes to custom printing.
We are trade-only, supplying resellers, distributors and wholesalers across the UK, Ireland and the European continent. Our speciality in phenol-free paper means that we can serve suppliers looking for this competitive advantage.
If you’d be interested in trialling phenol-free rolls, get in touch with our sales team today.
Phenol-free: your questions answered
Is phenol-free the same as BPA-free?
No. BPA-free paper can still contain other phenol-based chemicals. Phenol-free paper contains no phenols.
Is BPS banned in the UK?
No. BPS is commonly used in BPA-free papers and is not currently banned here…. yet!
Will phenol-free paper work in my printer?
Yes. It is a drop-in replacement for standard thermal rolls.
Does phenol-free paper cost more?
Yes, approximately 20%. But compared with BPA-free high-bulk, Tayrol’s 55gsm offers good value, and it supports responsible-procurement practices.
How long does the print last?
There is no significant difference in print life between Tayrol’s phenol-free rolls and BPA-free rolls.
Sources
Source – What is Thermal Paper?: https://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/11316023/Why_Do_Cash_Registers_Not_Need_Ink_Cartridges/
Source – Phenols, and why BPA-free is NOT Phenol-Free: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2023/04/19/BPA-is-a-health-risk-EFSA-sets-new-TDI-for-Bisphenol-A/
Source – Phenols, and why BPA-free is NOT Phenol-Free: https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2026/10/california-restricts-bisphenols-in-paper-receipts